Have you met the New Year feeling deflated and a little overwhelmed at what may lie ahead? Do you need some inspiration to recover your mojo and get through these dark winter months? Well, rest assured, January’s sailing events hold the key, and it all starts this weekend.
The Ocean Race gets underway with the In Port Race taking place in Alicante on Sunday 8th January. The first scheduled race is for the VO65 fleet of six boats at 1400hrs CET, followed by the IMOCA fleet of five boats at 1600hrs CET. Leg 1 of the race will then take place on Sunday 15th January with both fleets racing to Cabo Verde.
The IMOCA fleet continue on to race around the world, leaving Cabo Verde on the 25th of January, whilst the VO65 fleet are taking part in a Sprint Cup, which will match legs 1, 6 and 7 of the race the IMOCA fleet will complete. Here are the runners and riders…..
IMOCA Fleet:
11th Hour Racing Team (USA); skipper Charlie Enright
Team Malizia (GER); skipper Boris Herrmann
Team Holcim PRB (SUI); skipper Kevin Escoffier
GUYOT environnement – Team Europe (FRA/GER); skipper Benjamin Dutreux
Biotherm Racing (FRA); skipper Paul Meilhat
VO65 Fleet:
Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team (POR); skipper Antonio Fontes
WindWhisper Racing Team (POL); skipper Pablo Arrarte
Team JAJO (NED); skipper Jelmer van Beek
Ambersail 2 (LIT); skipper Rokas Milevičius
Viva México (MEX); skipper Erik Brockmann
Austrian Ocean Racing – Team Genova (AUT/ITA); Gerwin Jansen
A little further afield, Sail GP returns and hosts Event 8 of Season 3 in Singapore. The leader board has Australia clear ahead in the lead, but the remaining podium places are still up for grabs with Great Britain, France and New Zealand separated by just 3 points. In the middle of the table, it is Denmark, Canada and USA with only 3 points between them. Spain and Switzerland are currently trailing the pack but, with Singapore being a new venue for the fleet, it will be worth watching the action over the weekend of the 14th and 15th January.
I am hopeful that all this sailing action will inspire you to plan your up coming season. It may be some fun cruising or an ambitious racing project, such as the Rolex Fastnet Race. It is the 50th anniversary this year and registration opens at 1200 UTC 11th January 2023, so get yourself signed up if this is one of the races on your bucket list.
Whether racing or cruising, now is the perfect time to think about equipment or jobs that need to be carried out before you get back on the water. Check if any of your equipment needs servicing or replacing and set aside some sessions to practise safety procedures with your boat and any crew members you plan on sailing with this season. Having identified and pre-empted some of the worst-case scenarios, you can then relax and enjoy your sailing. Safe in the knowledge you are as prepared as you can be for whatever lies ahead.
To find out more about Best Practices/Safety at Sea, check out these videos I created with RORC and Ocean Safety:
Remember that there is no wrong or right way. There is a way that works for you, your crew and your boat. Don’t be afraid to start the conversation and make sure you sail safe, as well as fast, in 2023.